Changes In Length Research Articles

Assessing the effect of exercise timing on menstrual irregularity in women diagnosed with oligomenorrhea

Background and purpose Oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstrual periods), can significantly impact women's reproductive health and quality of life. This study explores the potential connection between exercise timing and menstrual regularity, aiming to provide insights for tailored exercise interventions in women with such irregularity. Material and methods A 12-week pretest-posttest design with multiple experimental groups was conducted with fifteen participants aged 18-23, each with a history of consistent menstruation for at least six months and without hormonal contraceptive usage. Participants were allocated to morning, afternoon, and evening exercise sessions, engaging in a personalized exercise regimen that combined cardiovascular and strength training activities thrice weekly. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were employed to comprehensively assess menstrual regularity, focusing on cycle length and characteristics. Analysis of Covariance (ANOVA) tests were utilized to scrutinize the potential impacts of exercise timing on menstrual regularity. Results The results showed noteworthy changes in cycle lengths after the training sessions, indicating the potential effectiveness of such interventions for individuals experiencing menstrual irregularity. Regarding Oligomenorrhea, morning sessions demonstrated the most considerable reduction in cycle length, while afternoon and evening sessions had less pronounced effects. Conclusion This study confirms the significant impact of exercise timing on menstrual cycle length and characteristics for women with Oligomenorrhea. Varied responses emphasize the importance of tailored interventions considering distinct times of the day.

Research on Shape Memory Behaviour of Rib Knitted Fabric from Wool Yarn Descaled by Ultrasonic Wave

Wool is a special material with the shape memory capability, so it can be used not only for apparel but also for functional applications such as protecting clothes and thermo-regulating clothes. However, wool fibers have a surface structure of overlapping cuticle cells known as scales which significantly affect fiber properties. This research investigated the appearance, strength, extension and the shape memory behavior of the wool yarn and also the wool knitted fabric before and after descaling its cuticle cells using calcium carbonate (CaCO3) powder with the concentration of 5 g/l, 10 g/l, 15g/l, and 20g/l in ultrasonic bath. The results showed that ultrasonic wave and abrasive calcium carbonate powder could reduce the size and the sharpness of wool scale. Wool yarn breaking strength and elongation tended to increase due to the increase of CaCO3 concentration, while the value of CV (%) decreased. The shape memory behavior was evaluated according to the change in length for the wool yarn, and the change in loop dimensions for the knitted fabric in different environmental humidity and temperature. Wool yarn descaled with CaCO3 powder showed more change in length in comparison to original yarn, but the change was a little bit of less than 3%. For the wool rib knitted fabric, the change in vertical direction was negligible, while the change in horizontal direction was significant, especially in the case of rib knitted fabric made of wool yarn descaled with CaCO3 powder. Wool yarn descaled showed a little change in length while the wool knitted fabric showed the more stable in shape by the course direction in comparison to those before descaling treatment.

Long-term Effects of Wearing Orthokeratology Lenses for More than 5 Years on the Progression of Childhood Myopia

Purpose: To investigate the long-term effects of wearing orthokeratology (OK) lenses for more than 5 years on the progression of myopia and the elongation of axial length in children.Methods: The study included patients aged 6-12 years with myopia ranging from -0.5 D to -5.0 D and astigmatism of ≤ 2.0 D who had worn lenses for ≥ 5 years. A retrospective analysis was conducted comparing with a control group of similar demographics who wore glasses. Spherical equivalent (SE) changes were compared between 28 subjects (56 eyes) in the OK lens group and 37 subjects (74 eyes) in the control group. Additionally, changes in axial length (AXL), anterior chamber depth, and central corneal thickness were compared between 23 subjects (46 eyes) in the lens group and 24 subjects (48 eyes) in the control group.Results: The annual changes in SE were -0.21 ± 0.18 D/year in the OK lens group and -0.38 ± 0.17 D/year in the control group. The annual changes in AXL were 0.13 ± 0.09 mm/year in the OK lens group and 0.21 ± 0.10 mm/year in the control group, both showing significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>p</i> < 0.001, respectively). Within the lens group, further analysis based on age 11 was conducted. SE changes were -0.23 ± 0.18 D/year in those age < 11 and -0.13 ± 0.18 D/year in those age ≥ 11. AXL changes were 0.15 ± 0.10 mm/year in the younger group and 0.06 ± 0.06 mm/year in the older group with both showing significant differences (<i>p</i> = 0.048, <i>p</i> = 0.012, respectively).Conclusions: The progression of myopia and elongation of AXL were significantly inhibited in the OK lens group compared to the control group. Additionally, younger age within the lens group was associated with greater myopia progression and AXL elongation.

Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?

The study aimed to explore if milkability parameters could reliably predict the dimensions of teat structures and their milking-induced changes. Ultrasonography repeatedly measured the teat structures of 48 Holstein cows from mid to late lactation. We found that milking-induced changes in each structure are affected by different milkability parameters. Regression models for teat canal change and length change were significant, and variability was found to be 46.03% and 21.50%, respectively. Similarly, the teat structure's dimensions significantly affected milkability parameters, which differed for each structure. However, regression models only explained between 3.36% (teat length) and 7.59% (cistern) of variability. The prediction potential, performed based on milkability, is limited if the initial dimensions of structures are not provided. If teat dimensions were measured at the beginning of the production life, automatically collected milkability data could be used to calculate milking-induced changes incurred with each milking and the development of teat dimensions over the production life. If perfected, this tool could provide alerts about critical milking-induced changes and risky teat conformation traits, as they have a proven effect on udder health and are reliable indicators of milking effectiveness.

Feasibility of computed tomography-derived surgical margin assessment in an ex vivo sublobar lung resection model.

Computed tomography imaging of a sublobar resection specimen may inform intraoperative surgical margin assessment. However, consistency with final pathological margins has not been previously evaluated. In this study, we investigated the concordance between surgical margin measurements by computed tomography versus pathology measurements using an ex vivo sublobar lung resection model. Pig lung wedge samples containing agarose pseudotumors were harvested. Computed tomography images were acquired following specimen inflation. The specimen was bisected along the same plane observed by computed tomography for accurate comparison with pathological surgical margin measurement. The bisected samples were then fixed in formalin before preparing hematoxylin & eosin slides. Surgical margin length at four distinct stages (computed tomography, gross pre-formalin fixation, gross post-formalin fixation, pathology) were measured and compared. A total of 50 lung specimens were analyzed. After specimen processing, Surgical margin length decreased in 94% (47/50) and increased in 6% (3/50) of samples. Mean surgical margin lengths were as follows: computed tomography 14.0 mm (range: 4.5-28.3 mm), gross pre-formalin fixation 13.0 mm (range: 4.0-25.0 mm), gross post-formalin fixation 12.1 mm (range: 2.5-26.0 mm), and pathology 10.9 mm (range: 1.0-23.4 mm). There was an average -23.8% (range: +11 to -82%) change in surgical margin length from computed tomography to final pathology (p < 0.001). While computed tomography -based surgical margin measurement is feasible, we observed an average 23.8% discordance when compared to final pathology measurement. Surgeons must be aware that the computed tomography -derived surgical margin generally overestimates the pathology-derived surgical margin.

The effect of transient increase in intraocular pressure on subfoveal choroidal thickness.

Myopia prevalence has increased over the last few decades. Studies have documented that the choroid is considered an important biomarker in myopia development. As myopia and choroidal thinning are associated with increased glaucoma risk, understanding the role of the choroid in myopia and glaucoma is imperative. This study investigates the effect of transiently elevated intraocular pressure on axial length, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and central retinal thickness in emmetropes, low myopes, and high myopes. This study involved 29 young adults (23 ± 1 years), including 10 emmetropes (-0.50 D < SE < +0.50 D), 10 low myopes (-6.00 D < SE ≤ -0.50 D), and 9 high myopes (SE ≤ -6.00 D). Participants were fitted with modified swimming goggles for 5 minutes to transiently change intraocular pressure. Noncontact tonometry, optical biometry, and optical coherence tomography were used to measure intraocular pressure, axial length, central retinal thickness, and subfoveal choroidal thickness, respectively. Measurements were taken at before, during goggle wear, immediately after, and 3 minutes after goggles removal. Repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni adjustment was used to assess the effect of transiently changed intraocular pressure and to elucidate any differences between refractive groups in response to the intraocular pressure change. Intraocular pressure increased by 1.7 ± 2.1 mmHg (p=0.002) from baseline, accompanied by axial elongation of 14 ± 21 μm (p = 0.012) and subfoveal choroidal thinning of 13 ± 15 μm (p=0.01). However, central retinal thickness did not change significantly (p>0.05). Most of the changes in the axial length were due to changes in the choroidal thickness. Observed changes returned to baseline immediately following goggles removal. There was no significant difference between refractive error groups' changes associated with the transient increase in intraocular pressure (p>0.05). Transiently increased intraocular pressure caused temporary axial elongation and subfoveal choroidal thinning, with no significant differences between refractive groups. Further studies are required to assess the impact of long-term increased intraocular pressure on ocular components.

FGL1 facilitates rather than suppresses anticancer immunity against microsatellite instable gastric cancer.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a phenotype characterized by changes in the sequence length of microsatellites in tumor cells and is closely linked to tumorigenesis and prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown good therapeutic effects in gastric cancer (GC) with MSI-high (MSI-H). However, the role of the novel immune checkpoint fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) in GC treatment has not been fully investigated. FGL1 expression in GC tissues and the difference in FGL1 immune infiltration between MSI/ microsatellite stability (MSS) patients were analyzed by bioinformatics and were verified in clinical samples. Xenograft models of MSS and MSI GC were constructed in human immune reconstitution mice, and FGL1 expression in tumors was detected. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to assay the infiltration of immune cells in the two types of mice. Cytotoxicity and chemotaxis tests were used to detect the toxicity and chemotaxis of CD8+T cells to GC cells, respectively. The cytokine content was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The therapeutic effects of FGL1 antibody on different types of GC were analyzed by xenograft mouse models. FGL1 exhibited significantly higher expression in GC, and its expression and immune cell infiltration levels were significantly higher in MSI GC than in MSS GC. CD8+T cells were significantly more effective in killing and chemotaxis of MSI GC cells than MSS GC cells. The FGL1 antibody was more effective in treating MSI GC.The novel immunosuppressor FGL1 antibody exerts a good therapeutic influence on MSI GC. These findings provide a basis for the development of drugs targeting FGL1 for MSI GC treatment.

Maternal investment, body condition and calf growth in humpback whales.

Given recent declines in North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) reproductive output and calf survival, there is additional urgency to better understand how mother-calf pairs allocate energy resources across their migratory cycle. Here, unoccupied aerial system (UAS; or drone) photogrammetry was used to quantify the body size and condition (BC) of humpback whales on their Hawai'i (HI) breeding and Southeast Alaska (SEAK) feeding grounds. Between 2018 and 2022, we collected 2410 measurements of 1659 individuals. Rates of change in body volume (BV) and length (BL) were quantified using 803 repeat measurements of 275 individuals. On average, HI mothers lost 0.106m3 or 96.84kgday-1 while fasting, equivalent to 2641MJday-1 or 830kg of krill and 424kg of Pacific herring daily. HI calf BV and BL increased by 0.035m3 and 2.6cmday-1, respectively. In SEAK, maternal BV increased by 0.015m3 or 14.54kgday-1 (367MJday-1), while calf BV and BL increased by 0.039m3 and 0.93cmday-1, respectively. Maternal investment in calf growth correlated with both female BL and BC, with larger females producing larger, faster-growing calves. Finally, using 330 measurements from 156 females, we quantified differences in BC increase over four feeding seasons. Lactating females exhibited an average BC increase of 6.10%, half that of unclassified females (13.51%) and six times lower than pregnant females (37%). These findings represent novel insights into the life history of humpback whales across their migratory cycle, providing key baseline data for bioenergetic models elucidating the effects of anthropogenic disturbance and rapidly changing ocean ecosystems. KEY POINTS: On average, Hawai'i (HI) mothers lost 0.106m3 or 96.84kgday-1, equivalent to 2641MJday-1. Over a 60day period, this corresponded to an estimated mean energetic cost of 158GJ, or ≈50tons of krill or ≈25tons of Pacific herring, surpassing the total energetic cost of gestation estimated for humpback whales of similar length. In Southeast Alaska (SEAK), maternal body volume (BV) increased by just 0.015m3 or 14.54kgday-1 (367MJday-1). Further, SEAK lactating females showed the slowest rates of growth in body width and condition over a 150day period compared to non-lactating females. Maternal investment in calf growth correlated with both maternal length and body condition, with larger females producing larger, faster-growing calves. In HI, however, the ratio between maternal BV lost and calf BV gained (conversion efficiency) was relatively low compared to other mammals.

Accuracy of leg length changes in total hip arthroplasty using a computed tomography-based augmented reality navigation system.

Leg length is an important consideration in total hip arthroplasty (THA) as leg length discrepancies (LLD) after THA cause poor outcomes and medical litigation. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-based navigation with augmented reality (AR) technology for measuring intra-operative leg length change using anteroposterior radiography (two-dimensional, 2D) and CT (three-dimensional, 3D). This study included 71 patients (75 hips) who underwent primary cementless THA in the supine position between June 2022 and November 2023 using the HoloNavi One. To assess the accuracy of the HoloNavi One based on 2D and 3D measurements, the absolute error between the intra-operative leg length change and the 2D and 3D measurements was evaluated, and the correlations were investigated. Additionally, factors affecting the absolute error were examined using multivariate analysis. The mean intra-operative leg length change when using the HoloNavi One was 6.5 ± 5.0mm, while the mean leg length change on the 2D and 3D measurements were 5.9 ± 4.8mm and 4.6 ± 5.7mm, respectively. The mean absolute errors were 2.3 ± 2.7mm between the HoloNavi One and 2D measurements, and 3.8 ± 3.3mm between HoloNavi One and 3D measurements. The absolute errors in leg length changes for the 3D measurements were greater than those for the 2D measurements (p < 0.01). Positive correlations of leg length changes were found between the HoloNavi One and the 2D and 3D measurements. In the multiple regression analysis, no significant factors affecting the absolute error were identified in either the 2D or 3D measurements. CT-based navigation with AR technology in the supine position provided acceptable accuracy for leg length change measurements.

Root length as a bioindicator of pesticide concentration in irrigation water.

Overusing pesticides to increase crop productivity is a global problem that harms ecosystems and can adversely affect human health. Therefore, low-cost, simple, and easy-to-use pesticide biomonitoring methods are needed to assess the impact of these products on the environment. In this study, we employed the root development of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) RR (Roundup® resistant) and sesbania (Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Pers) as bioindicators to evaluate the impact of irrigation water containing three distinct commercial pesticides (herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide). The hermetic response was observed for lower doses of methomyl. A significant reduction in root length was consistently observed in both soybean and sesbania plants when treated with glyphosate, difenoconazole, and methomyl. The dose-dependent change in root length suggests a straightforward alternative to monitoring pesticide levels in water-based solutions. Furthermore, the effects of these chemical agents on plants, even when present in low quantities, may clarify their implications for the environment and crop production.

Structural, morphological and dielectric properties of Ni-doped ZnO nanoceramics prepared by Sol-gel method

Abstract The objective of this work is to synthesize new set of nanoceramics that improves structural integrity and dielectric performance while maintaining the desired characteristics of ZnO with the introduction of regulated Ni-doping. By using the sol-gel process, Ni-doped ZnO nanoceramics were successfully synthesized. Zn1–xNixO (x = 0, 0.05, 0.01, 0.15) wt % of Ni in to Zn precursor salts were added. Doping levels are considered to be low to moderate level, which typically lead to considerable changes in structural, optical, morphological and dielectric properties without modification of the nature of host ZnO. Higher concentrations greater than 15 % can result in the precipitation of isolated Ni or NiO phases which may negatively influence uniformity and consistency of the doped material. By using XRD for structural study, phase purity and the hexagonal wurtzite structure were confirmed. The integration of Ni2+ ions into the ZnO lattice is indicated by the change in lattice parameters and bond length for the Ni-doped ZnO sample. Samples follow almost same c/a ratio of an average of 1.601. An increase in “Ni” content results a decrease in crystallite size. Average crystallite size has been calculated ranging from 43.88 nm to 17.01 nm for ZnO to Zn0.85Ni0.15O samples. According to SEM analysis, the grains of the samples are uniformly dispersed. When the produced NPs were examined for purity using EDAX analysis, it was found that the beginning stoichiometries and the chemical composition of Zn, Ni, and O agreed well. The development of the ZnO phase was verified by the presence of a peak at 523 cm−1 in the FTIR spectra. According to the findings of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Ni was observed to be present in the ZnO lattice in the form of Ni2+.The Koops phenomenological theory and the Maxwell-Wagner model provide an explanation for the observed dielectric behaviour. It is noted that for pure ZnO, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss have maximum values, whereas for doped samples, these values decreases. Our sample is suitable for high frequency device application due to a negligible dielectric loss of 0.047 at 15 % Ni concentration in the high-frequency region. Ni-doping affects AC conductivity. At 10 MHz, Zn0.9Ni0.1O has the highest AC conductivity (2.654 × 10⁻⁴ (Ω cm)⁻1), while Zn0.85Ni0.15O shows a lower value (1.048 × 10⁻⁴ (Ω cm)⁻1), indicating a balance between doping level and grain boundary influence on conduction. The impedance study reveals that just one semicircle in all samples, indicating that the influence of grain boundaries is more significant than the contribution of individual grains.

The shard test and nanoporomechanics reverse classical paradigm of cement hydration being contractive

Le Chatelier in 1887 and Powers in 1947 demonstrated that the volume of nanoscale C-S-H (calcium silicate hydrate) particles formed during hydration is smaller than the combined volume of the reactants-the anhydrous Portland cement and water. Hydration has thus been considered as contractive. An experiment shows that the opposite is true above the nanoscale. The porous skeleton of cement paste expands as the growing C-S-H particles push each other apart, similar to crystal growth pressure. This is significant for high-performance concretes (HPC) with low water-cement ratios (w/c [Formula: see text] 0.4), where chemical self-desiccation lowers pore relative humidity by 40%, compared to just 1% in traditional concretes (w/c [Formula: see text] 0.5). Standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C1608 tests, using 10 mm thick water-immersed specimens, show large shrinkage because the half-time of water ingress is many decades, unable to offset shrinkage-causing self-desiccation. The present experiment, using a laser microscopy-topography technique, proves the opposite-expansion, evidenced by measuring the length changes of water-immersed HPC shards 0.5 mm thick in which the diffusion halftime, only about one hour, allows continuous resaturation of pores, canceling self-desiccation. The faster diffusion (halftime of one hour) enables continuous pore resaturation, preventing shrinkage. When sealed with paraffin oil, the shards self-desiccate and shrink. These findings align with studies since 2015, showing that models excluding hydration expansion cannot fit test data across various specimen sizes and sealing conditions. The results suggest that standardized ASTM tests for the so-called chemical shrinkage in modern concretes with very low water-cement ratios are misleading and need revision.

OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE AgBiP2Se6 SINGLE CRYSTAL

The AgBiP2Se6 compound has emerged as one of the most studied hexachalcohypodiphosphates in recent years. This is interest is driven by its distinctive layered structure, which implies the possibility of obtaining monolayers and the observation of various of quantum effects. Most studies to date, however, have focused on first-principles calculations, while experimental investigations have primarily been limited to structural analysis and stoichiometric composition determination. This work partially addresses the gap in research by exploring the optical properties of AgBiP2Se6. Transmission spectra within the optical range of 220-1400 nm, as well as Raman spectra, were obtained from single crystalline AgBiP2Se6 samples. The band gap, determined from the transmission spectra using the graphical Tauc method, was found to be 1.44 eV. This value aligns closely with the DFT band-structure calculations using the Perdue-Burke-Erzenhorf (PBE) model without a Hubbard correction parameter (1.384 eV). The Raman spectrum of the AgBiP2Se6 crystal reveals five distinct peaks at approximately 68, 125, 169, 436, and 462 cm-1. The peak at 68 cm-1 can be attributed to the vibrational mode of the cationic centers; the peaks at 125 and 169 cm-1 can correspond to deformations within the Se-P-P and Se-P-Se bonding systems involving changes in bond angles; and the peaks at 436 and 462 cm-1 reflect bond length changes within the anionic (P2Se6)4-group.

Electrically controlled flexible and varifocal microlens array using liquid crystals on polymer

Abstract The microlens array (MLA) on the flexible substrates has a wide range of applications in advancing curved integral imaging and three-dimensional (3D) display systems with a large field of view. We developed an electrically controlled varifocal microlens array on flexible Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) substrates by infiltrating the liquid crystals (LC) in polymeric concave lenses. The focusing and imaging characteristics of the flexible LC-MLA are studied experimentally. When voltage is applied across the LC layer, the refractive index of the LC changes, which causes a change in the effective focal length of MLA. The electrically tunable focal length and tunable focusing of the MLA are experimentally demonstrated. The mathematical analysis of the LC MLA is performed using the MATLAB platform. The presented flexible LC-MLA is developed using simple and cost-effective fabrication methods, which can potentially be used in future 3D displays and imaging solutions.

Efficacy of spectacle lenses specifically designed for myopia control: systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate the efficacy of spectacle lenses designed to control myopia progression in individuals under 18 years old, focusing on changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER), axial length (AL) and relative peripheral refraction (RPR). A systematic review was conducted according to Prisma guidelines. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, covering studies from the last six years without language restrictions. Studies were included based on specific criteria, and data were extracted and analysed using the metafor package in R. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for SER and AL at 12- and 24-month follow-ups, using random-effects models. RPR information was synthesized without meta-analysis. Out of the 796 studies screened, 21 were included in the review, with 17 selected for the meta-analysis, comprising a total of 6,175 patients. At 12 months, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in SER (d+ = -0.281, p < .0001) and AL (d+ = -0.155, p < .0001) compared to the control group, where d + is the pooled mean effect size estimate. However, at 24 months, no significant differences were observed in SER (d+ = -0.385, p = .067) or AL (d+ = -0.272, p = .137) between groups. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings, and publication bias was minimal. Regarding RPR, the results are limited and differ among model lenses. Spectacle lenses designed to control myopia progression show short-term benefits, significantly reducing SER and AL at 12 months. However, their long-term efficacy remains uncertain, with no significant differences observed at 24 months. Further research is needed to understand treatment response factors and evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of these lenses in myopia management.

Numerical Simulation and Engineering Application of Temporary Stress Field in Coal Mine Roadway

The imbalance between excavation and mining is significant as it restricts the efficient development of coal resources. Slow tunneling speed is primarily due to the inability to concurrently conduct excavation and permanent support operations, and temporary support is considered a key solution to this problem. However, the mechanism by which temporary support affects the surrounding rock in unsupported are as remains unclear, hindering the assurance of stability in these areas and the determination of a reasonable unsupported span. To address this issue, this work proposed a stress distribution model as temporary support, elucidating the distribution law of support forces within the surrounding rock. By analyzing the stress differences between areas with and without temporary support, the stress field distribution characteristics of temporary support were determined. Subsequently, the evolution of stress and strain in the surrounding rock within unsupported areas was analyzed concerning changes in temporary support length, support force, and unsupported distance. The results indicated that, although temporary support does not directly act on unsupported areas, it still generates a supportive stress field within them. The maximum unsupported distance should not exceed 3 m, and there is a strong linear relationship between the optimal temporary support force and the unsupported span. Furthermore, the length of temporary support should not exceed 17 m from the tunnel face. The successful application of the shield tunneling robot system verifies that temporary support can ensure the stability of the surrounding rock in unsupported areas, confirming the validity of the temporary support stress distribution model. This research can be used to design and optimize cutting parameters and temporary support parameters, arrange equipment, and design and optimize tunnel excavation processes to achieve safe and efficient tunneling.

Hydrogen bonding state of THF-H2O solution analyzed by 2D Raman-COS spectroscopy.

In this study, three distinct hydrogen bonding (HB) states of tetrahydrofuran (THF)-aqueous solutions at varying concentrations were characterized and analyzed using Raman spectroscopy coupled with two-dimensional correlation Raman (2D-COS) analysis. Specifically, in the range of 10%≤NTHF ≤ 30%, the solution exhibits cluster structures characterized by free THF-5H2O and THF-4H2O tetrahedral configurations; in the range of 40%≤NTHF ≤ 70%, the cluster structures within the solution consisted of THF·2H2O and THF·H2O configurations, following the fragmentation of tetrahedral structures; in 80%≤NTHF, the disruption of the tetrahedral structure of water enters the second stage, resulting in the formation of 2THF·H2O and low-dimensional self-aggregated structures of THF. Combined with density functional theory, a further discussion on the changes in bond lengths and bond angles was conducted. The results indicate that with the increase of NTHF, the HB length initially shortens and then elongates, the dihedral angle first increases and then decreases, and the corresponding bond energy increases initially and then decreases.

Study of the behavior of TORP middle ear prostheses of various lengths by the finite element method

Advancements in audiology and medical engineering have sparked growing interest in enhancing titanium implants used for middle ear repair. In our study, we employed a numerical simulation model of the middle ear to investigate how the TORP prosthesis behaves under an acoustic pressure of 90 dB across a frequency range from 250 to 8000 Hz. Additionally, we varied the prosthesis length, utilizing three different lengths, and modified the prosthesis design to assess its mechanical impact. Our findings indicate that changes in prosthesis length do not significantly alter outcomes for patients. Moreover, these variations do not pose any danger or compromise the auditory performance of patients, emphasizing the safety and efficacy of TORP prostheses in middle ear repair.

Inhibitory effect of Zhujing Pill on myopia progression: Mechanistic insights based on metabonomics and network pharmacology.

This study endeavored to uncover the mechanisms by which Zhujing pill (ZJP) slows myopia progression. We employed biometric analyses to track diopter and axial length changes in guinea pigs with negative lens-induced myopia (LIM). Through integrating metabonomics and network pharmacology, we aimed to predict the anti-myopic targets and active ingredients of ZJP. Subsequent analysis, including real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting (WB), assessed the expression levels of CHRNA7, LPCAT1, and NOS2 in retinal tissues. Our findings demonstrate that ZJP significantly mitigates diopter increase and axial elongation in LIM guinea pigs. Metabonomic analysis revealed significant changes in 13 serum metabolites, with ZJP reversing the expression of 5 key metabolites. By integrating metabonomics with network pharmacology, we identified core targets of ZJP against myopia and constructed a compound-gene-disease-metabolite network. The expressions of LPCAT1 and CHRNA7 were found to decrease in the LIM group but increase with ZJP treatment, whereas NOS2 expression showed the opposite pattern. This investigation provides the first evidence of ZJP's multifaceted effectiveness in managing myopia, highlighting its impact on multiple components, targets, and pathways, including the novel involvement of LPCAT1 and CHRNA7 in myopia pathogenesis.

Associations of light-adapted electroretinogram in paediatric amblyopia.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the light-adapted (LA) electroretinogram (ERG) associated with paediatric amblyopia. A total of 220 eyes from 81 postoperative paediatric cataract patients and 29 healthy children were enrolled in four groups, namely controls, unilaterally amblyopic eyes, non-amblyopic fellow eyes and bilaterally affected eyes. Differences in LA ERG variables (peak time and amplitude of a- and b-waves and photopic negative response [PhNR]) were compared across groups, as well as their associations with visual acuity and changes in axial length. The peak time of both the a-wave (p < 0.001) and b-wave (p < 0.001), as well as the amplitude of the b-wave (p < 0.001) and the PhNR (p = 0.04) differed significantly across groups. Compared to controls, affected eyes in both unilateral and bilateral groups showed significantly lower b-wave amplitude and longer a- and b-wave peak times (p < 0.008, Bonferroni-corrected). Additionally, fellow eyes in the unilateral group exhibited significantly longer b-wave peak times (p = 0.008). For all eyes, poorer visual acuity was associated with a longer peak time for both the a- (p = 0.006) and b-waves (p = 0.003), as well as lower amplitudes of the b-wave (p = 0.006) and PhNR (p = 0.02). Changes in LA ERG components suggest alteration of retinal physiology in deprivation amblyopia. Thus, the LA ERG may provide additional information to help understand the mechanisms underlying deprivation amblyopia.